Major breakthrough as antibody against coronavirus discovered

Scientists have discovered a major breakthrough of a potential antibody that appears to prevent COVID-19 from infecting human cells.

This finding could lead to significant progress in developing treatments and vaccines against the virus in the months to come.

‘Such a neutralising antibody has potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus,’ Professor Berend-Jan Bosch, co-lead author of the study, said.

Scientists have discovered a major breakthrough of a potential antibody that appears to prevent coronavirus from infecting human cells. Pic: THIBAULT SAVARY/AFP via Getty Images

The antibody targets the ‘spike protein’ of coronavirus — the protein the killer bug uses to latch onto human cells and infect the body.

The antibody — named 47D11 — works by binding to the ACE2 enzyme which acts as the ‘doorway’ to cells.

The antibody — named 47D11 — works by binding to the ACE2 enzyme which acts as the ‘doorway’ to cells — preventing the COVID-19 virus strain from entering the cell. Pic: Getty Images

In tests involving mice, 47D11 was able to destroy both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

It has now been made into a human version and could be used in therapy to treat someone immediately after they have been infected or exposed to the virus.

Professor Bosch said that this specific antibody could lead to the ‘prevention and treatment of COVID-19’ as well as ‘mitigation’ of other coronaviruses in the future.

The study was published in Nature Communications and was built on work by the same team since the SARS epidemic back in 2002. SARS was also a coronavirus which killed 800 people and infected over 8,000.

‘Using this collection of SARS-CoV antibodies we identified an antibody that also neutralises infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cultured cells.’

Co-lead author Professor Frank Grosveld, of Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, said: ‘This discovery provides a strong foundation for additional research to characterise this antibody and begin development as a potential Covid-19 treatment.

The therapy is being developed by global tech giant Harbour BioMed based in Massachusetts.

This antibody finding could lead to significant progress in developing treatments and vaccines against coronavirus in the months to come. Pic: HIBAULT SAVARY/AFP via Getty Images

‘This is groundbreaking research. Much more work is needed to assess whether this antibody can protect or reduce the severity of disease in humans,’ said founder and chair Dr Jingsong Wang said:

‘We expect to advance development of the antibody with partners. We believe our technology can contribute to addressing this most urgent public health need and we are pursuing several other research avenues.’

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